New Oklahoma Children’s Behavioral Health Center set to open in December

Oklahoma Children’s OU Health is preparing to open its new Behavioral Health Center in  December, expanding access to specialized mental health services for children and adolescents across Oklahoma. 

The 72-bed facility celebrated its grand opening Nov. 4th and will provide inpatient and outpatient treatment, psychiatric care, intensive outpatient programs and specialized services for children with neurodevelopmental needs. 

The center is the first comprehensive pediatric behavioral health facility in Oklahoma integrated with a children’s hospital. Designed with families in mind, it includes space for parents to stay with their children and areas for recreation and family support. 

OU Health leaders say the center will help address gaps in pediatric mental health care by combining psychiatric treatment with medical and developmental services. It will also serve as a training site for future healthcare professionals. The project was made possible through state funding, support from the University Hospitals Authority and Trust, and private donations from several Oklahoma organizations and foundations. 

Once open, the center is expected to provide more treatment options for Oklahoma families and reduce the need for children to travel outside the state to receive specialized behavioral healthcare.